In Australia, as has already been said, Angus is usually shortend to Gus. My brother gets Gussie, Gus, Angie (sharp G, not like the girls name) and sometimes, when I get mad at him, it's ANGUS COOK!

― Anonymous User 10/24/2006

I have a set of twin sisters who were born the night our dad was drunk and had to be summoned from an AC/DC concert. He wasn't trying to make a political statement, but since kids in our family are typically boys he went with Angus and Malcolm when asked--but the nurse hadn't told him they were girls. I tease them about it constantly, but they take it with good grace. They go by Mal and Angie.

― Anonymous User 4/9/2007

This is a beautiful Scottish name - I chose it for one of my sons as it means 'Unique'! - He sure is!

This is a nice name, and I've got nothing against it, but make sure your child knows how to spell it correctly as soon as possible because if you make a spelling error, that creates an embarrassing issue.

In response to jasmineenimsaj and the anonymous user, "Angus" has nothing to do with beef and it is not meant to sound like "anus"; Angus is from the Irish/Scottish name "Aonghus", which means "one strength". And in Irish mythology, Aonghus was the god of love, youth, and beauty.

When I was younger, I though this name sounded embarrassing, awkward, and geeky, but now I actually think it's a really cool name. I generally don't like names ending in 's', especially male names like that, but this is a great name. I'd use the nickname Gus. Luckily the name is so short that it doesn't really require a nickname. I guess if the other kids decided to hate the boy, they'd call him 'anus' and cover the 'g', but that behavior tends to end when people grow up. If he goes by Gus, they'll probably not even think of it.

Angus is the Latin word for "sheep"--which are generally associated with both innocence as well as conformity and stupidity (following the herd no matter where they go rather than thinking for yourself.) I'm suprised that I'm the first person to bring that up!

A Latin sheep is an ovis. A Latin lamb is an agnus, not an angus, and is correctly pronounced ann-yoos. You might know it from the phrase 'agnus dei' or Lamb of God. It should be obvious that this has zip to do with Angus. Just setting the record straight!

If you are concerned about the beef reference or a spelling error (omitting the g) then I would just use the nickname Gus almost exclusively. I feel the nickname Gus and Angus Young give this name potential.

The downsides? I may like Gus more than Angus, and if Angus ever catches on, it could get really trendy and dated. Some people may feel it is ok to put Gus on the birth certificate, but I’m mot so sure. With the trend of Celtic names, this name seems seems trendy while remaining rare.

In Australia, we have an Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston. One of the most well respected and highly decorated officers (retired) in our military. He's so good at his job, he got pulled out of retirement to help with the search for MH370 and be the Special Envoy to Ukraine after the MH17 disaster. Angus is a strong and proud name.

― Anonymous User 9/11/2014

My Scottish-born wife and I have just named our newborn baby Angus. This name for us is steeped in his heritage and feels strong and earns attention. It isn't easily twisted into similar words and any reference to anus is far-fetched at best. The black Angus breed of cattle is the backbone of Australia's beef industry and certainly isn't something to be ashamed of. I do feel however that use of the traditional spelling, although respectful, would cause lifelong need to correct incorrect pronunciation.

ALL OF THE MALES IN MY FATHERS SIDE ARE NAMED EITHER ANGUS ALEXANDER DUKE, JAMES ALEXANDER DUKE, OR ANGUS CHARLETON DUKE. MY FAMILY TREE SO FAR IS TO THE LATE 1790s IN TOWN CALLED FRIOCKOM, ANGUS, SCOTLAND. I AM ALMOST CONVINCED MY FAMILY IS NAMED AFTER THE TOWN ITSELF, I NEED INPUT.

― Anonymous User 2/18/2015

Sorry, but this name is really bad and rather unfortunte. You are essentially naming your kid, "anus".

― Anonymous User 6/11/2015

Not only is this name bluntly dated, you remove one letter and you get "Anus" ANgUS. And the name makes me envision a grumpy old man. Honestly, who in their right mind would name their kid this anymore? Classics are always nice, but none that are past their expiration date.

― Anonymous User 8/23/2015

I do like the pun that has arisen from the English spelling variant of Angus, in that Angus means one choice, one strength or special choice which is precisely what the Agnus dei (Latin) is in the Judeo Christian tradition. Agnus dei refers to the flawless chosen lamb of Passover that is our salvation. A case of convergent linguistic evolution.

I like this name. In Australia, where I am, it's one of the rare names that doesn't carry a tag of a given socioeconomic group (other than having likely scottish heritage or a like thereof). Angus, or Gus could be anyone... bus driver, teacher, actor, lawyer, criminal.